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UPSC EPFO Syllabus 2026: Check Exam Pattern for AO/EO & APFC Posts

Shilpa S

Dec 11, 2025

UPSC EPFO Syllabus 2026 consists of 9 subjects for AO/EO and APFC posts, and 4 additional subjects specific to APFC posts. It covers a wide range of topics, including General English, Indian Polity, Economy, Labour Laws, Accounting, and Social Security, with additional subjects like Auditing and Statistics for APFC posts. The exams will be conducted in offline mode, through OMR-based paper. UPSC EPFO 2026 paper consists of 120 questions of 2.5 marks each, making an aggregate of 300 marks. There will be a negative marking of ⅓ marks per incorrect answer.

UPSC EPFO 2026 Exam Highlights

UPSC EPFO Exam Highlights 2026 are mentioned in the table below:

Particulars Details
Exam Name UPSC EPFO 2026
Conducting Authority Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Posts Offered Enforcement Officer (EO)/Accounts Officer (AO), APFC
Organisation Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)
Exam Level National
Exam Mode Offline (OMR-based)
Question Type Objective (MCQs)
Total Questions 120
Negative Marking Yes (1/3rd mark per wrong answer)
Exam Duration 2 Hours
Medium of Exam English & Hindi (except English section)
Descriptive Test Only for APFC (English Essay, Precis, Comprehension)
Interview Marks 100 (after qualifying written exam)
Selection Process Written Test + Interview
Official Website www.upsc.gov.in

UPSC EPFO Exam Pattern 2026

UPSC EPFO Written Exam is a 2-hour objective (MCQ) exam conducted offline. The test will be available in both English and Hindi for all sections except the English Language section. The question paper encompasses 9 topics and is worth 300 marks. Additionally, the Interview carries a weightage of 100 marks.

Subject No. of Questions Total Marks
General English 120 300
Indian Freedom Struggle
Current Events and Developmental Issues
Indian Polity and Economy
General Accounting Principles
General Science and Knowledge of Computer Applications
Industrial Relations and Labour Laws
Quantitative Aptitude and General Mental Ability
Social Security In India

UPSC EPFO Interview Round

The interview is the final stage of the UPSC EPFO selection process, conducted for candidates shoWTlisted through the Written Test (WT). It evaluates a candidate’s overall suitability for EO/AO and APFC roles. The interview round is conducted to assess candidates’:

  • Subject knowledge
  • Personality
  • Communication skills
  • Awareness of issues
  • Integrity and suitability for the role

Candidates need to secure a minimum standard of suitability marks to qualify for the interview round. They are as given in the table below:

Category Standard of Suitability for Interview
General / EWS 50 and above
OBC 45 and above
SC / ST 40 and above
PwBD (Gen / EWS / OBC / SC / ST) 40 and above

Final merit list will be prepared using the following weightage:

  • Written Test (WT): 75%
  • Interview: 25%

UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus

The detailed UPSC EPFO Syllabus 2026 will be released along with the detailed UPSC EPFO 2026 Notification. UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus consists of 9 subjects as a common syllabus for AO/EO and APFC Posts, and 4 additional subjects specific to APFC Posts. UPSC EPFO Syllabus as per previous data is mentioned below:

Subjects For EO/AO and APFC (Common 9 Subjects)

1. General English:

Focus: Understanding of English language, grammar, and comprehension.

  • Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms)
  • Grammar rules (tenses, articles, prepositions)
  • Spotting errors, sentence correction
  • One-word substitutions
  • Idioms and phrases
  • Active/passive voice
  • Direct/indirect speech
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Reading comprehension
  • Para jumbles

2. Indian Freedom Struggle

Focus: Historical movements and major leaders.

  • Revolt of 1857 and early resistance
  • Formation of the Indian National Congress
  • Moderate and extremist phases
  • Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi, and Home Rule Movement
  • Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India Movement
  • Role of Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose
  • Revolutionary activities and INA
  • Mountbatten Plan and Independence

3. Current Events and Developmental Issues

Focus: Awareness of national and international events.

  • Government schemes and policies
  • Economic and social issues
  • Recent scientific and environmental developments
  • India’s international relations and summits
  • Global indices and reports
  • Important national awards and personalities

4. Indian Polity and Constitution

Focus: Structure of Indian governance and legal framework.

  • Features of the Constitution
  • Fundamental Rights and Duties
  • Directive Principles of State Policy
  • President, Prime Minister, Parliament, Judiciary
  • Constitutional amendments and provisions
  • Election Commission and constitutional bodies
  • Local self-government and federal structure

5. Indian Economy

Focus: Basic economic concepts and policies.

  • National income, GDP, economic growth
  • Fiscal and monetary policy
  • Budget and taxation
  • Role of RBI and financial institutions
  • Inflation and unemployment
  • Government welfare schemes
  • Economic planning and reforms

6. General Accounting Principles

Focus: Basics of financial accounting.

  • Types of accounts and rules of accounting
  • Journal, ledger, and trial balance
  • Final accounts: trading, P&L, balance sheet
  • Depreciation and reserves
  • Capital and revenue expenditure
  • Bank reconciliation statements
  • Basic understanding of accounting standards

7. Industrial Relations and Labour Laws

Focus: Labour welfare and industrial laws in India.

  • Trade Union Act, 1926
  • Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
  • Factories Act, 1948
  • Minimum Wages Act, 1948
  • Payment of Wages Act, 1936
  • EPF and ESI Acts
  • Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
  • Social Security Code overview

8. General Science and Computer Applications

Science:

  • Basic concepts in Physics, Chemistry, Biology
  • The human body and diseases
  • Environmental issues and climate change

Computers:

  • Basic computer terminology
  • MS Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Internet and email usage
  • Cybersecurity basics
  • Operating systems and file management

9. Social Security in India

Focus: Social protection systems and schemes.

  • Concept and evolution of social security
  • Role of EPFO and ESIC
  • Government pension schemes
  • Social welfare for unorganised workers
  • Recent reforms in labour codes
  • Coverage under various benefit schemes

Subjects Only for APFC (Additional 4 Subjects)

1. Indian Culture and Heritage

Focus: Art, architecture, religion, and philosophy.

  • Classical dances, music, and art forms
  • Architectural developments across periods
  • Religious movements and spiritual traditions
  • Literary contributions and cultural festivals
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

2. Population, Development, and Globalisation

Focus: Socio-economic challenges and global impact.

  • Population dynamics and census trends
  • Urbanisation and migration
  • Sustainable development goals
  • Impact of globalisation on India
  • Issues of inequality and inclusive growth

3. Auditing and Insurance

Auditing:

  • Purpose and types of audit
  • Audit process and internal control
  • Audit reports and standards

Insurance:

  • Principles of insurance (indemnity, insurable interest)
  • Types of insurance: life, health, general
  • Role of IRDAI
  • Risk management and policy servicing

4. Statistics

Focus: Elementary statistical tools and data handling.

  • Collection and presentation of data
  • Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)
  • Measures of dispersion (range, variance, SD)
  • Basics of probability
  • Use of graphs and diagrams
  • Index numbers and sampling methods

UPSC EPFO Syllabus and exam pattern provide a comprehensive framework for candidates preparing for the Enforcement Officer/Accounts Officer exam. The syllabus covers a diverse range of topics, ensuring a well-rounded assessment of candidates' knowledge and skills. The two-stage exam pattern, consisting of a Written Exam followed by an interview, facilitates a thorough evaluation of candidates' suitability for the role.

UPSC EPFO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 FAQs

Ques: Is General English a separate paper in UPSC EPFO 2026?

Ans: General English is part of the combined paper in UPSC EPFO 2026. It is not a separate section but contributes significantly to the total marks by testing grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, and sentence structure skills.

Ques: Is knowledge of current affairs necessary for UPSC EPFO 2026?

Ans: Yes, current affairs form a vital part of UPSC EPFO 2026. Candidates are expected to stay updated on national and international developments, government policies, economic issues, and social schemes relevant to the functioning of EPFO.

Ques: Does UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus differ for EO/AO and APFC posts?

Ans: Yes, UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus for EO/AO and APFC differs. While EO/AO candidates are tested on 9 subjects, APFC aspirants must also cover 4 additional subjects, making it more comprehensive and managerial in scope.

Ques: Is there any fixed weightage for each subject in UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus?

Ans: UPSC does not release a fixed subject-wise weightage. However, previous papers suggest balanced coverage, with higher emphasis on Polity, Labour Laws, and English. Candidates should prepare all subjects in UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus thoroughly for balanced scoring.

Ques: Do I need to study international affairs for UPSC EPFO 2026?

Ans: While not a core topic, UPSC EPFO 2026 Syllabus includes globalization and international developments under General Awareness. Understanding how international trends affect India's labour, trade, and economy can help answer relevant questions more accurately.

Ques: Does UPSC EPFO 2026 Exam include sectional cut-offs?

Ans: UPSC EPFO 2026 Exam Pattern does not explicitly mention sectional cut-offs. However, overall merit depends on total marks scored, and candidates should ensure a balanced performance across all topics.

Ques: Is there any sectional timing in the UPSC EPFO exam?

Ans: No, the UPSC EPFO exam does not have sectional timing. Candidates are given 2 hours in total to attempt all 120 questions, allowing them to manage their time across all sections freely.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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